17/01/2013 BBC News at One

The hostage crisis in Algeria: the Government's emergency committee

meets after a British worker is killed. Around 40 foreign nationals

are being held captive inside a gas facility by Islamist militants.

Relief after a narrow escape: the crane driver who slept in and

missed the helicopter crash. would have been up there, but I was

running late, because my boys wake of we up every morning at 5am,

without fail, but it wasn't until 6am, and normally I would be up

there. I just pulled into the side as it all happened. Safety problems

on the Dreamliner. Now Europe follows America and orders airlines

to ground them. Good news for the British car

industry, a record number were made for export last year. And as

weather forecasters warn that blizzards are likely tomorrow, how

prepared are the elderly and vulnerable?

It means a great deal, because if you look out and seek a date like

this and the gritters have not been at around, and the footpath is

slippery, you might for and end up in hospital. -- you might fall.

Later on BBC London: Investigators continue to search for the cause of

the helicopter crash that killed two people in Vauxhall. And

suspensions for the rogue London chemists who illegally sold drugs

Good afternoon and welcome to the BBC News at One.

The Foreign Secretary William Hague has described the killing of a

British worker, held hostage at an Algerian gas facility, as "cold-

blooded murder". The worker was one of two captives killed in a shoot

out with Islamist militants. There are conflicting reports from the

area this lunchtime. One Algerian official said a number of people,

including Europeans and Americans, have escaped. Here is our security

correspondent. The hostage stand- off at this remote gas plant in the

Algerian desert is in its second day and has become the worst kidnap

crisis to face the government with one Briton killed yesterday and

several more held prisoner. The Foreign Secretary has played down

any connection with the war in neighbouring Mali. Whatever excuses

being used by terrorists and murderers who are involved, there

is no excuse. Whatever excuse they may claim. It is absolutely

unacceptable. In this case, it is a cold-blooded murder of people going

about their business. This is the man believed responsible. He is a

veteran Algerian Jihad fighter, a notorious smuggler and has ransomed

foreign tourists. His group, an offshoot of Al-Qaeda has ranged

across the Sahara, striking at this remote plant yesterday without

warning. It appears to have been a well-planned raid. BP, which part

owns the plant, said in a Hallett is resolved will be decided

in the capital, Algiers, where the government says it will not give in

to the demands to escape with the hostages -- how it is resolved.

Algeria has been relatively peaceable reeled -- recently, but

it is presented with a complex problem. They have had a long-

standing insurgency problem in their own country that goes back

many years, so they have a fairly good and versatile system in

dealing with these types of situation. However, when it comes

to these kind of hostage negotiation situations it is a

question of bringing together as much expertise around the table as

possible. In London, government officials met again on the crisis

for the 4th time. They have played down any talk of a hostage rescue

and have pinned their hopes on Let's get some more on that from

our political correspondent, Norman Smith. A very confusing picture on

the ground. As we have been hearing, the Government's emergency

committee met this morning. What do we know about what was discussed?

My impression is that the British government and others have been

told by the Algerians to back off, they will resolve this. In other

words, if there is to be a successful resolution and a rescue

mission, if there is to be negotiated outcome, it will be done

by the Algerians and the Algerians alone. To that extent, the British

government is saying their efforts are working through the Algerian

government, not any form of independent action. When the Prime

Minister spoke to the Algerian Prime Minister last night he asked

him if he wanted any help and there was no request for any assistance.

Officially, the view is it is understandable. This is an incident

taking place an Algerian soil, and they have their own sensitivities.

Unofficially, I sense a degree of frustration, in the sense that we

have the SAS, America have considerable intelligence and

military resources, and also the French, who have a lot of contacts

and influence in that part of the world. At the moment the Algerian

seemed to be sane, no, we are going alone and sorting it ourselves --

seemed to be saying. That does not mean the Downing Street is sitting

on their hands. Mr Cameron spoke to other two prime ministers with the

national symbol. He chaired the meeting of Cobra, and there will be

another one this afternoon, and significantly, tomorrow, when he

makes the big speech in Holland on Europe, arrangements are being put

in place for a Cobra meeting to be taken by the Prime Minister in the

Hague. Well the fighting in Mali has been the top of the agenda for

European foreign ministers meeting in Brussels. They've agreed to send

military personnel to help train the government troops in their

fight against Islamist forces. Let's speak to our Europe

correspondent, Matthew Price. Who is getting involved and in what

way? This training mission has always been planned, but it has

been rushed on into finally getting to the stage where they are going

to deploy it. It was thought they would be heading off in the coming

months, but now we know that in the next few days, the first few will

be heading over to Mali, those are EU officials involved in this, and

then there will be the bulk of 200 personnel who will be doing the

training, and the 250 support staff, including their own security, who

will head out by mid-February at the latest. Britain has a handful

involved in this, and various other nations. It is led by a French

military official. Their main purpose is to train the Marley and

army -- of the army in Mali, which has been described as being

demoralised. Other officials have said that the army does not exist

as they have not halted the rebel advance until now. The mission is

to train them at all levels, from the troops on the ground, right up

to the Ministry of Defence in Mali. In the meantime, French forces will

try to hold off the Islamist advance and push it back, but it

will take a long time, it seems to will take a long time, it seems to

will take a long time, it seems to me, before the troops are ready to

The workman who should have been in a crane that was hit by a

helicopter in central London yesterday has been speaking about

his lucky escape. Nicki Biagionio was late for work for the first

time in years because he slept in. Two people died in the accident -

the helicopter pilot and a man on his way to work. Our correspondent

Jonathan Blake reports. If he had been at work on time, he would have

been sat in his cab, high above London when a hell Vic --

helicopter crashed into the crane. By yesterday, of all days, he was

running late. A I don't set my alarm any more because my sons set

me up -- wake me up at about 5am. It wasn't until about 6am that time,

so I was running about an hour late for work. Normally I would be up

there. Although crashes are rare, helicopters are a common sight

above the Thames and he says a possible accident was always at the

back of his mind. We have always thought about it, being that close

to the river. Helicopters fly past a lot lower than the crane is all

the time. You rely on the fact it is a safe route for the helicopters.

They are meant to stick over the river. It has always been a thought,

but not something I thought there would happen. The crash killed

their helicopter pilot, Peter Barnes, and a man walking below,

Matthew Wood. An investigation into how it happens has begun, and the

crane is being dismantled. But it has not put him off going back to

work when he can. It is not as if it is a common occurrence. These

things do not happen very often at all, especially in this country

with all of the self -- health and safety regulations. I'm not too

worried about it. It is a safe in - - industry and a safe place to work.

Police say it was miraculous only two people died. For one man, at

least, he was a very lucky escape. -- it was. Europe has followed

America, and ordered that all of Boeing's newest plane, the 787

Dreamliner, should be grounded. It follows a series of incidents over

the past few weeks, including one in which a smoke alarm went off,

forcing an emergency landing. Here's our transport correspondent,

Richard Westcott. It is the world's most technically advanced airliner,

the only plane made of plastic, making it lighter and cheaper to

run. And this is what has forced it out of action, batteries about the

size of a shoebox. This one caught fire, and another overheated. Most

Dreamliner planes are now grounded until they can prove they are safe.

Pictures like this spread fear around the world. This is not a

drill. This is passengers forced down the emergency chute over fears

of a fire. It is the latest in a whole host of recent problems for

the Dreamliner, from leaks in fuel, to a cracked window and breaking

the issues. But the most serious problems are around the state-of-

the-art batteries. 10 days ago there was a fire while a plane was

sat in an airport in Boston. That led the safety authorities to

launch a review into how the aircraft is built. A few days later,

we had the emergency landing after a smoke alarm went off, again, and

it looks like a battery overheated. Today many safety regulators around

the world have ordered the planes grounded until it is sorted out.

Ground-breaking new aircraft always have problems. The Airbus A 380 had

cracks in the wing brackets, an issue that cost the company

hundreds of millions of pounds. And the bowling will be worried as well.

-- bowling will be worried. This could be a big problem. It has bet

the farm on this aeroplane, and this is the last thing they needed.

It could take a lot of extra work. It might need a complete redesign

in some parts of the aircraft. has been knocked off their share

price today, but analysts say it could have been worse. Three UK

airlines still have Dreamliner planes on order. The company is

pulling out all stops to get the plane back in the air, but we still

Detective investigating payments to police and public officials have

arrested two serving police officers and a journalist. 56

people have now been arrested as part of Operation Elveden, the

investigation set up in the wake of the phone hacking revelations at

the News of the World. Our correspondent June Kelly is in

Central London. What more do we know about the arrests today?

Anthony France, the Sun newspaper's crime reporter becomes the latest

journalist be arrested after a knock from the police. To serving

officers from Scotland Yard also detained. They have been arrested

in terms -- in connection with suspected offences between 2004 and

2011. When it comes to the officers under arrest, we are told one is 47

and works in a department known as specialist operations, which covers

counter-terrorism, airport protection and also close

protection, those you see close to senior politicians. Scotland Yard

is not saying specifically where he works, but they are saying he does

not working royal and diplomatic protection. The other officer is 30

and is working in specialist operations. These arrests, like

many in the past, are as a result of information passed from the

San's newspaper -- the Sun newspaper's parent company. These

men have been arrested under the operation looking at corrupt

payments to people in public office. These arrests, after the first

conviction, last week, when Detective Chief Inspector April

Casburn from Scotland Yard was found guilty of misconduct in

public office. The Labour leader, Ed Miliband, has accused the Prime

Minister of leading Britain towards the exit of Europe, and in doing so,

taking it to "the economic cliff". David Cameron is making a major

speech on Europe tomorrow, and is expected to use it to argue for a

referendum on changes to the UK's future relationship with the EU.

Our Political Correspondent Iain Watson is at Westminster.

remain remember, in opposition, David Cameron warned his party not

to bang on about Europe, but with the rise of the UK party, he can no

longer kick the issue into the long grass. Ahead of the speech in

Holland tomorrow, he has been snowed under with advice, but not

all big welcome. And the Prime Minister is travelling to the

Netherlands to try to change the political weather in Europe. In his

speech he will say it is high time that Britain renegotiated its

relationship with the rest of the EU. He will ask for public approval

if he wins the next election in a referendum. But his critics believe

this will create a cold climate for business. I think the vast majority

of British business doesn't want Britain to be thrown into five or

more years of uncertainty with a potential exit from the European

Union. But, in a series of BBC interviews, the Labour leader would

not completely rule out a referendum in the future. I will

not speculate about what will happen years hence in Europe. We

don't know the changing shape of Europe. But I am very clear that

now is the wrong time to commit to an in or out referendum. And there

appears to be an unofficial coalition in the issue. Vince Cable

says it is a terrible time to talk about a referendum and his party

leader believes it could put jobs at risk. It's worth remembering

that close to one in 10 jobs in this country are estimated to be

linked to what our position as a leading member of the European

Union. I don't think we should do anything to jeopardise those many

jobs in Britain. But not all businesses believe it is damaging

to talk about the EU or it would be damaging to leave it. Some leading

figures in the City say David Cameron should offer a

straightforward referendum on whether to stay in or go. We hear

negotiations will take place, and I think we need a democratic decision

on whether we wish to go into the convoy of Europe and be part of all

that and all of its regulation, or be out and independent. So the

Prime Minister's critics are getting their retaliation in before

he has delivered his speech. One thing is certain though, the debate

on Europe will continue all the way David Cameron got support from

Boris Johnson, this lunch time, supporting the Prime Minister's

attempts to get a deal in Europe, although he urge him to Putney deal

to the public with all haste. Which I think mean, look, Dave, get on

with it. There was good news today for the

UK's car industry. The number of car exports hit a record high last

year. 1.2 million were sent overseas. Also an increase in the

number of cars produced. At its highest level for five years.

Built in Britain but heading abroad. At the port of time, hundreds of

Nissan cars are being loaded for export. This place was once famous

for exporting coal, today it is Nissan's gateway to the globe for

the vehicles made at his car plant at Sunderland.

We export 80% of everything that we make. The UK market is not big

enough to sustain a plant of this size. This is vital to us.

Vital for our economy too. This plant makes more than a third of

all cars produced in Britain. It provides work for 6,000 people. In

recent years, this plant has been going from strength-to-strength.

Today's figures show over the past 12 months, Nissan built more than

half a million vehicles. Now it is the first time that any company has

managed to do that in Britain. In 2012, the UK produced juster 1..5

million cars. The best performance since before the downturn, but most

were exported. So, where did they go? According to the industry, half

went to the EU, but as many as 12% ended up in Russia. Roughly the

same amount go to the US, and 16% found their way to showrooms in the

fast-growing markets of Asia. Jaguar Land Rover sited growth in

China, for one of the reasons its sales jumped 30% last year, but for

companies like Honda, focused on mainland Europe, it has been

tougher going. We have seen Honda laying off

workers and Ford go to plant. The longer it goes on, the impact it

has over the mass market. The cars here will be across Europe

in days but the market can be vulnerable if a key market falters.

Now, let's have a look at the time and the top story: The hostage

crisis in Algeria. There are reports this lunch time that some

of those being held may have escaped.

Coming up: The lost world of the Russian tsars, a look inside the

secret world of the Kremlin. On BBC London: How high-achieving

disadvantaged pupils, could be getting four years of free

education in the States. A new court in greenish.

-- Greenwich. For centuries, the centre of power

in Russia has been in the Kremlin. It has also been one of the most

secret locations in the world. Now the authorities have allowed the

BBC cameras to look at the ancient fortress and see some of the

palaces inside. Let's cross there now to our

correspondent. Yes, welcome to Cathedral Square,

right in the heart of Russia's seat of power. We are live for the first

time in the Kremlin. Right behind the Kremlin wall now, and we have

been to the Grand Palace. You can see it just below the gold domes.

That has been the home to Russia's leaders from Ivan III through

Katherine the Great to Vladimir Putin. We have been inside to show

you some of its hidden secrets. Vladimir Putin, Russia's most

powerful man, striding into the Kremlin's Grand Palace last year to

be sworn in once more as President of The world's largest country.

The Kremlin's history as the official residence of Russia's

leaders, the symbol of their authority, is as old as the country

itself. Today we've been given a rare chance to go behind the scenes

into the hidden, ancient part of a palace which has oozed power for

over 500 years. This, for example is the Faceted

Chamber, a golden reception room built by Ivan III in 1490. It was

here that Ivan The Terrible, his grandson, entertained foreign

ambassadors from as far afield as England. High up, there is a

discreet window, through which the tsar's wife could watch the

festivities. Today, Vladimir Putin still uses the room for small

dinners and the chamber downstairs for entertaining on a lavish scale.

Up here are the private rooms of the tsar of the 17th century, built

by the founder of the Romanov dynasty. Let's have a look.

It is a much more intimate place. A palace within the palace. The tiled

stoves were a 17th century state- of-the-art central heating system

for survivaling the brutal winters. When Boris Yeltsin wanted to

impress the Queen on her only visit to Russia, this is where he brought

her. The rooms were almost abandoned for

over 200 years when the capital was in Saint Petersburg.

In the 20th century, the Kremlin once again became the centre of

power in Russia. Here is the flat that Joseph Stalin used. This is a

living palis, there are some parts we cannot show you. For example at

the end of the corridor there are the private rooms of Vladimir Putin.

Because this is not just a place steeped in history, this is also

the office of the President of The Russian Federation. Vladimir Putin

is an immensely powerful figure in Russian and international politics.

All of the big decisions and many of the small decisions go across

his desk, that desk is just over there.

If you can see it through the snowstorm today! Daniel, thank you

very much. Loyalist particularlys are expected

to give their backing to calls for an end of weeks of violence over

the decision to restrict the flying of the Union flag over the City

Hall. There are to be meetings within the

hour at which they call for the violence to stop.

Yes, politicians have been meeting at Stormont today, but this break

through in the dispute appears to have happened in the streets where

there have been trouble. Church and community leaders are expected to

hold a meeting in which they are to say enough is enough. That call is

thought to have the endorsement of the loyalist par military grip. In

protest, the Union flags again on show in the streets last night in

response to the decision to restrict the number of days that

the flag flies over the City Hall. While these were peaceful, too

often, the demonstrations have ended in disorder. The

representatives from the British and the Irish governments met

Northern Ireland's first and deputy ministers today. The church and the

community leaders are expected to give out leaf thes in Belfast

saying that the violence will stop and the words have the support of

the par mill tearis. You are saying that there is a leaf

let asking for an end to the violence. I would support any

efforts going out to the community to persuade that this violence is

wrong, it needs to stop. It is damaging Northern Ireland's

reputation abroad and getting in the way of resolving difficult

issues. The trouble of the last six weeks

has been serious. 100 police officers have been

injured and old sectarian tensions have returned. Businesses in

Belfast are feeling the effect. The shopping streets have been quiet,

both before and after Christmas. Traders have been voicing their

anger. Warning if the protests and the disruption continues it could

cost jobs. I am concerned. I am concerned

about the families. I am going to be unable to employ people if this

is not addressed. Not in weeks, months but in days.

The UVF has been accused of orchestrating some of the worst of

the violence, but it is thought to be a paramilitary group supporting

the appeal for peace. The words on the leaf the will be crucial. An

end to violence does not mean an end to protest but the development

will be seen as a step forward. In the last few minutes in Stormont,

Martin McGuinness has said he believes there is an emerging

consensus among all of the political leaders in Northern

Ireland about dealing with the issue.

Forecasters are predicting heavy snowfalls and strong winds for much

of the UK tomorrow. A warning is going out to many people,

especially the elderly and the vulnerable to ensure that they are

ready for the bad weather. Danny is at a snowy bank near

Sutton Bank. Shaun, the snow is starting again.

This all fell on Monday but it has not gone anywhere as it is so cold.

For all of us it will stay cold but for some of us there is a lot more

snow on the way. Much of eastern Britain has been under a blanket of

snow for days now. The forecast is for more widespread falls over the

next 24 hours. The worst is likely to be in the West.

But in the snow fields left by Monday's weather, temperatures have

barely climbed above freezing. Hello, Betty. I have a few things

for you. With more bad weather on the way, a

joint venture between Age UK and local councils is under way in

North Yorkshire to help the vulnerable people get through the

next few days. If the weather really gets very

cold and it gets really difficult under foot we have an emergency

line we are starting up. People can ring in and ask for help.

The packs include extra blankets and clothing, incase the conditions

get really cold. I live on my own. I rely on the

good sense and people like this bringing in packages.

Weather alerts have been issued by the Met Office in anticipation of

the next band of heavy snow. Travel advice is being given as

well. Be prepared to change your travel

plans. Try to avoid unnecessary journeys. If you have children,

perhaps check that the schools will be open. Avoid the dangerous areas

and heed the avice of the Emergency Services.

But while disruption is likely in many places, it is also going to

leave a winter weekend that many people will want to go out and

enjoy. I can't think of anything better

than getting out and about on a day like this with the snow laying and

the beautiful blew skies and the sun.

But wrap up warm? Absolutely, don't be silly.

So more of this to come but the main advice is to keep an eye on

the forecasts. The wind is set to strengthen,

meaning it will feel colder than it is. We may see blizzards and

drifting on high ground too. Now, let's get a full weather

Now, let's get a full weather forecast. Louise has joined us.

I think that Mother Nature is set to test our patience. We have the

red weather warning, the highest tier for heavy snowfall in South

Wales. I will come to that in a moment. For the rest of today, the

central and eastern areas are quiet. They have sunny spells and a few

showers over the Kent coast. A mixture of rain, sleet and snow

over Wales. Temperatures in the evening will fall like a stone.

There is rain pushing into the south-west. As it bump noose the

cold air it turns to snow. Significant snow is likely tonight

over parts of Northern Ireland, in particular Wales and down to the

south-west. It is Wales where we have got the red warning in force.

Now it could be rain across Cornwall in the morning, but by

8.00am be prepared for disruption over Devon, Somerset, Dorset and

Wales, the Black Mountains, the Cumbrian Mountains seeing as much

as 25 centimetres of snowfall. Strong winds, so drifting. Snow as

well into Northern Ireland for the early morning rush-hour. For

Scotland, you will wonder what the fuss is B it will be a cold and

windy start but quiet here with sunny spells coming through. The

same too for the north of England and into East Anglia. Now, London

it will start off dry but take note. You may get to work in the morning

it could be fine but this snow is heading to the capital. This is the

scenario atam. If we run the clock on in the hourly directions you can

see by 11.00am, the snow is push flooing the London area, through to

the East Midlands, over to East Anglia. So the many routes, the M4,

the M5 the M3, they could see disruption and with strong south-

easterly winds, there could be blizzards as well.

Cold in the north and in the far south-west, there could be rain. So

a red warning that means there will be disruptions for Wales. Amber

warnings for the buck of Wales, central and southern England so be

prepared for disruption throughout the day. Listen to the local radio

for further local travel updates or go online. By the time we get to

Saturday, the winds swing to the easterly. Still driving in showers

offer the -- off the east coast, but easing. Hopefully a quieter

weekend, but still staying cold. For more information on the

warnings or the weather. Please check online.

The top story: While we've been on air, the Foreign Office says that